Top Stories
Changes to OW and ODSP are rolling out this month – and some are a surprise:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/09/02/ontario_welfare_reforms_roll_out_this_month.html
New research demonstrates what people on social assistance have been saying for years – living in poverty drains your mental energy and your ability to do much more than just survive:
- Great coverage from Salon:http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/09/poverty_and_cognitive_impairment_study_shows_money_troubles_make_decision.html
- Star: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/08/29/poverty_lowers_brain_power_making_it_harder_to_figure_out_escape_study.html#
- The Atlantic: http://m.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2013/08/how-poverty-taxes-brain/6716/
- Here’s the link to the journal : http://www.sciencemag.org/content/341/6149/976
Minister McMeekin is committed to reform:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/09/01/welfare_reform_minister_commits_to_changing_system.html
“If the idea is getting people to transition from welfare to work, the first step should be making sure that there is work for them to do. The next step should be making sure that their families have the support they need to succeed.”
http://www.kjonline.com/opinion/welfare-cheat-stereotype-hard-to-shake_2013-08-29.html
Ontario
People with children with disabilities have a new source for legal information:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/08/30/scales_of_justice_tipped_against_disabled_kids_goar.html
Right-to-work laws won’t solve Ontario’s manufacturing problems:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/right-to-work-laws-are-no-solution-to-manufacturing-job-woes/article14086461/#dashboard/follows/
Martin Regg Cohn: Arguments against unions are ideological not empirical:
http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2013/09/05/arguments_against_unions_are_ideological_not_empirical_cohn.html
Charles Pascal says full-day kindergarten is a success story:
https://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/en/blog/ontario%E2%80%99s-full-day-kindergarten-success-story
Cool Stuff
Alex Himelfarb has edited a new book on the value of taxes – “Tax Is Not a Four Letter Word”:
http://www.wlu.ca/press/Catalog/himelfarb.shtml
Around the Province
Bruce County Social Services Director comments on changes to Ontario Works asset rules:
http://www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca/news_item.php?NewsID=59826
Coverage in CanIndia on the recent poverty reduction consultation on issues facing newcomers and immigrants:
http://www.canindia.com/2013/08/government-consults-immigrants-on-new-poverty-reduction-strategy/
Toronto agency serving youth on assistance suspends service due to funding problem:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/09/06/scarborough_job_agency_suspends_service_cites_funding_woes.html
Woman from Kingston refuses to leave the train when confronted with inaccessibility:
http://www.thewhig.com/2013/08/06/woman-refuses-to-leave-train-over-accessibility-issues
The OW caseload in Waterloo is nearly 40% higher than before the 2008 recession:
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4057858-welfare-caseload-nearly-40-per-cent-higher-than-prerecession/
The impact of EI changes on seasonal firefighters in Kenora:
http://www.kenoraonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6202&Itemid=160
Across the Country
New Brunswick’s poverty reduction body – the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation – is holding consultations on that province’s next poverty reduction strategy:
http://www.sackvilletribunepost.com/News/Regional/2013-08-31/article-3367758/Economic-and-Social-Inclusion-Corporation-to-hold-public-sessions-to-renew-poverty-reduction-plan/1
Rents are going up in BC, but shelter allowances for people on social assistance are not:
http://www.vancouversun.com/With+welfare+rates+frozen+even+renting+often+beyond+Vancouver+poorest/8855045/story.html
National
Harper continues to push the importance of reducing public debt, at the G20:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-announces-new-debt-targets-at-g20-summit/article14118623/
For Labour Day, CUPE calls for an expansion of the CPP:
http://www.swbooster.com/Opinion/2013-09-02/article-3372444/CUPE-National-to-Harper-Celebrate-workers-and-expand-CPP/1
Caledon resorts to crowdfunding to keep National Council on Welfare information alive:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2013/09/04/new_way_to_keep_the_war_on_poverty_alive_goar.html
Older workers are resorting to the low-wage jobs that formerly employed youth:
http://www.thestar.com/business/personal_finance/2013/09/05/canadian_employment_older_workers_pushing_students_out_of_jobs_report_says.html
Universities should educate, and employers should train:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/universities-should-educate-employers-should-train/article14078938/#dashboard/follows/
International
In November, US food stamps funding will fall to $1.40 per meal:
http://www.clasp.org/issues/pages?type=work_supports&id=0036
The Scottish School of Public Health Research takes on chef Jamie Oliver over the cause of poor nutrition among people living on low incomes:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/health/poverty-not-ignorance-prevents-healthy-eating-1-3079005
Food banks are new in the UK. The Kingston food bank just served its 5,000th person:
http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/10645666.Criticism_of_welfare_cuts_as_Kingston_food_banks_feeds_their__5_000th_person_/
Finland announces changes to its social welfare state:
http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/08/29/us-finland-reforms-idINBRE97S19320130829
And other Nordic countries are making other changes:
http://www.euronews.com/2013/08/30/welfare-under-fire-in-scandinavia/